Breastfeeding is associated with a decreased risk of childhood asthma exacerbations later in life.

BACKGROUND

Breastfeeding has been suggested to influence the risk of asthma and asthma severity in children. However, the conclusions from epidemiologic studies are inconsistent.

METHODS

We used data from 960 children (aged 4-12 years) using regular asthma medication who participated in the PACMAN study. Breastfeeding exposure was based on questionnaire data and stratified into (i) ever vs never, and (ii) ≥6 vs <6 months duration of breastfeeding. Asthma severity was based on the occurrence of asthma exacerbations in the preceding year and/or poorly controlled asthma symptoms during the last week of study visit. Odds ratios (ORs) were derived from univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

Breastfeeding was associated with a decreased risk of asthma exacerbations; adjusted (adj.) OR: 0.55 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.35-0.87). After stratification for duration of breastfeeding, the adj. ORs were 0.48 (95% CI: 0.27-0.84) for duration <6 months and 0.71 (95% CI: 0.43-1.20) for duration ≥6 months breastfeeding. When we stratified the analysis by family history of asthma, the association between breastfeeding and asthma exacerbations was strong and statistically significant only in children with a positive family history of asthma; adj. OR: 0.34 (95% CI: 0.18-0.66). There was no association between breastfeeding and risk of poor asthma control; adj. OR: 1.04 (95% CI: 0.76-1.41).

CONCLUSION

In a pediatric population with asthma, children who had been breastfed had a statistically significantly lower risk of asthma exacerbations later in life compared to asthmatic children who had not been breastfed.